More than a Market
— A Community
Board of Directors
Brent Henderson
CHAIR
Brent's journey to healthy eating started back in 2019. Stress from work coupled with poor dietary choices resulted in multiple conditions coming on simultaneously. After finding a naturopath & establishing healthy eating patterns, he was able to cure his conditions & restore vitality in his life. High quality, clean, & locally sourced food became a real priority.
Brent is an entrepreneur who has been running businesses since his early twenties. Starting his construction company in 2011, he had a goal of bringing good ethics, customer service & transparency to the construction industry along with creating a community of trades that are trustworthy, reliable, honest & have a strong attention to detail.
When Brent & his wife moved to Muskoka in 2020, securing their food system was high on the priority list. They soon found the Co-op & became regular customers before joining the Board of Directors.
Brent's business ethics aligned well with the values of the Co-op & he decided to use his leadership skills to help bring the Co-op through their expansion, transfer of management & into the future.
As a founding member of MNGFC, I am delighted to be part of the Good Food Co-op's Board (since 2023) in this important time of growth and expansion. I was born and raised in Huntsville and currently work for The Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce, a not-for-profit organization specializing in community growth, small business support, community promotion, and protection of its members. My business banking background helps my work with local businesses helping them to survive. This is an area in which I am positive that I can help make an impact in sitting on this great board! I also sit on the board of directors of Paws of the North Rescue
Halley Clover
I moved to Muskoka from Markham in 1984 and co-owned and operated ServiceMaster of Muskoka from 1984 to 2014. From 1997 to 2012, I also owned and lived on a horse-breeding farm in Raymond, where we raised horses and chickens for egg production. My long-term business and farming background naturally drew me to the social enterprise model of Muskoka North Good Food Co-op in its early stages. The first time I walked into the Co-op, while it was still very grassroots, I felt compelled to put my name on the volunteer list. Since 2016, I have volunteered in several capacities, including in the commercial kitchen and during the crucial days of Covid-19.
What compels me to continue helping is my passion for health and my belief in ensuring access to amazing food — not just for myself, but for the entire Muskoka community. I care deeply about strengthening our local food system, supporting local growers, and helping to provide a venue where producers and consumers can come together in meaningful ways
Wanda Skinner
Since 2017, I have been an active volunteer with MNGFC, both as a board member and on the floor in the grocery market, assisting with tasks such as entering AP into QuickBooks. My background in nursing has provided me with extensive experience working as both a team member and team leader, following and implementing policies and procedures related to workplace safety, WSIB, public health, and food safety. I also have experience with data entry and working with organizational software. My focus has been on supporting teamwork at every level — from board collaboration and updating policies and procedures, to fostering cooperation among employees in the market, café, and kitchen — all with the goal of strengthening community awareness, ensuring financial stability, and supporting the continued growth of the cooperative.
Karen Henkelman
Ian and his farm, Falkenridge Farm, is one of the first producer-members to supply the Co-op with his pasture-raised, grass-fed and well cared for animals. Ian's passion for small business development and creating a better world led him to join the Board of Directors in 2023. Ian brings an out-of-the box approach to desicion-making and has years worth of experience serving on Farmer's Market and other boards. Ian's meat and pepperettes have always been a very popular item with Co-op customers. The quality, branding and approach Ian and his wife bring to business can be tasted!
Ian Daines
Barb has over 30 years experience in banking and finance. Her career began in 1973 with Scotia Bank and over the next 30 years joined the team at Bank of Montreal, finishing off her career as Manager of Kawartha Credit Union (over 10 years) in Huntsville. It was during her tenure as Manager of the Credit Union that she realized the profound importance of supporting and building a strong 'local' economy. She resonated with the co-operative values of the credit Union and jumped at the opportunity to continue working in the co-operative sector as Muskoka North Good Food Co-op's Treasurer. Barb resides in North Bay and happily makes the journey to the monthly Board and sub-committee meetings. Not only is she delighted to be serving the Co-op in this capacity, she has also developed a new community around her which she enjoys very much.
Barb Smith
Inna Evtoushenko
Inna is a Registered Massage Therapist, Certified Lymphedema Therapist, and Holistic Nutritionist specializing in cancer recovery & prevention,
Inna came to Canada from Ukraine as a teenager. She completed her studies at University of Toronto graduating with Honours Bachelor of Science, ICT Kikkawa School of Massage Therapy, Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy, and Institute of Holistic Nutrition.
After a decade of climbing the corporate ladder, Inna came to a realization that it wasn’t her purpose. After a lot of soul searching, natural health practitioner ticked off all the boxes on the “What’s My Passion” list. Helping and inspiring her clients to achieve physical and mental wellness is what drives her sense of fulfillment and purpose. Being a succe
Join Our Board of Directors
We are always looking for passionate, dedicated individuals to join our Board of Directors. Do you have the interest, skills, and commitment to play an active role in the governance of our co-op? Do you support and endorse our mission to strengthen our local food system and community?
If so — you could be the right fit!
✨ Apply today and help guide the future of Muskoka Market & Eatery please askfill out our nomination form to become a board member.
Email the board at boardatmme@gmail.com
FAQs
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Becoming a board member is a chance to:
Shape the vision and direction of the co-op.
Support local farmers, producers, and the growth of a strong local food system.
Strengthen community connections and programs around food, sustainability, and wellness.
Ensure the co-op continues to thrive as a financially sustainable, welcoming community hub.
Serving on the board means helping to guide the direction, policies, and priorities of the co-op. You’re responsible for ensuring the organization is financially sound, mission-driven, and accountable to its members. Joining the board is a chance to make a tangible difference — supporting local farmers, expanding access to healthy food, and ensuring the co-op thrives as a sustainable, community-owned space.
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Board members play a vital role in guiding the vision, policy, and financial sustainability of the co-op. They represent the membership, support and evaluate management, and ensure the co-op remains mission-driven and accountable to the community. This is a voluntary role — there is no financial compensation, but the reward is in strengthening the co-op and supporting local food systems.
No specific business or financial background is required. We welcome a variety of skills, whether in marketing, community engagement, farming, design, finance, or leadership. Above all, we look for people who are passionate about local food and sustainability.
Board members typically commit 6-10 hours per month, including one monthly board meeting plus preparation, and occasional committee or event participation. Terms are generally 2–3 years, allowing members to contribute meaningfully while keeping leadership fresh and engaged. We also encourage board members to take part in some volunteer duties within the co-op — stepping up when extra help is needed is a great way to stay connected, show commitment, and strengthen involvement with our community.
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Yes. All board members must be active members of the cooperative to ensure accountability and alignment with the mission.
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Unlike a private business, a co-op is member-owned and governed by cooperative principles. Your role is to represent the members, not outside shareholders, and to ensure decisions benefit the whole community.
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New board members are oriented to the bylaws, policies, and finances of the co-op. Many co-ops also offer access to training materials, cooperative governance workshops, and mentorship from experienced board members.
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No. Board positions are voluntary. This is a service role — your “payment” is the opportunity to strengthen the co-op, shape its direction, and contribute to your community.